<p>Can we successfully apply Extreme Programming in a scientific research context? The cultural environment at a government research center differs from the customer-centric business view. Consequently, eight of XP's 12 practices are seemingly incompatible with the existing research culture. The authors implemented a pilot project at the NASA Langley Research Center to test XP?s applicability in such an environment. Despite initial awkwardness, they determined that XP can function in situations for which it appears to be ill suited.</p>